In the first article in a new series, Allan Mallinson looks at how British forces faced thethreat from Germany

Soon after 11pm on August 4 the Admiralty flashed the signal to His Majesty’s
ships: “Commence hostilities against Germany.” Earlier the War Office had
sent telegrams to army headquarters with the single word ‘Mobilize”.

The Foreign Office issued a statement: “Owing to the summary rejection by the
German Government of the request made by his Majesty’s Government for
assurances that the neutrality of Belgium will be respected, his Majesty’s
Ambassador to Berlin has received his passports, and his Majesty’s
Government declared to the German Government that a state of war exists
between Great Britain and Germany as from 11pm on